If you are a KingCo football fan, mark your calendar.

Next Thursday, Aug. 26 at 2 p.m., various Reporter sports writers from across the Eastside will taking taking questions from readers about the upcoming football season. So, if you have a burning question about Mercer Island football, Skyline’s chances this year, or if Sammamish is really going to be as good as some are predicting, log on and ask us!

I’ll be talking with MIHS football coach Brett Ogata later this week, and will come to the chat fully prepared to share my thoughts and insights on what we know so far about the Islanders.

Sports writers from the Issaquah Reporter (@issy_sam_sports), Bellevue Reporter (@BellevuePreps) and Renton Reporter (@RentonReporter), along with yours truly will be on hand for questions. And who knows, there may be more who join us on Thursday.

The chat will be hosted on the Web site – watch for more information about the specifics coming soon.

The Islanders first game of the season will be against Seattle Prep at West Seattle Stadium on Sept. 3. And of course, stay tuned here, and at the main Web site www.mi-reporter.com for continued fall sports coverage as the season begins.

The season is right around the half way mark and the basketball polls couldn’t be any closer. The top three teams in the boys 3A poll were separated by just one point this week with undefeated Bellevue nabbing the top spot.

The Mercer Island girls jumped into the top five with a No. 4 ranking in the state. They are in firm command of the 3A KingCo league after dominating against Bellevue last Friday. As a little side note based on the numbers I’ve been seeing there are no undefeated 3A girls teams in the state this season.

The Bellevue boys took the top place in the 3A ranking as they are undefeated at 11-0. After watching them play against a fired up MI boys team last Friday, the Wolverines were cool and calm, obviously in control as they have been all season.

In the 4A girls arena Issaquah and Newport swapped No. 3 and No. 4 after the Lady Eagles beat Newport in the Knights first loss this season. Should be interesting to see how things play out until March.

Class 4A boys
1. Federal Way (10-0)
2. Curtis (11-0)
3. Gonzaga Prep (9-1)
4. Richland (10-0)
5. Jackson (9-1)
6. Decatur (8-2)
7. Kamiakin (9-1)
8. Skyline (8-1)
9. Foss (9-2)
10. Kentridge (8-3)
Others receiving votes: Walla Walla (7-2), Lake Washington (8-2), Lake Stevens (8-3)

Class 4A girls
1. Auburn Riverside (11-0)
2. Woodinville (10-0)
3. Issaquah (9-1)
4. Newport (9-1)
5. Federal Way (9-2)
6. Kentwood (8-2)
7. Lewis and Clark (7-3)
8. Edmonds-Woodway (8-1)
9. Jackson (8-1)
10. Chiawana (9-1)
Others receiving votes: Bellarmine Prep (7-3), Monroe (9-1), Richland (8-2), Wenatchee (7-4), Kentlake (8-3), Marysville-Pilchuck (8-3)

Class 3A boys
1. Bellevue (11-0)
2. Enumclaw (9-0)
3. Rainier Beach (7-3)
4. Seattle Prep (8-3)
5. Lakes (7-2)
6. O’Dea (8-3)
7. Shadle Park (8-2)
8. Mount Si (8-3)
9. Hazen (9-2)
10. Capital (7-1)
Others receiving votes: Franklin (5-5), Meadowdale (7-2), Columbia River (7-3), Foster (7-2), Hudson’s Bay (8-1), Sammamish (9-3)

Class 3A girls
1. Holy Names (9-2)
2. Kennedy Catholic (8-3)
3. White River (8-1)
4. Mercer Island (8-3)
5. Sumner (8-2)
6. Bonney Lake (8-3)
7. Lakes (7-3)
8. Mount Rainier (8-2)
9. Shadle Park (7-3)
10. Lakeside (7-5)
Others receiving votes: Prarie (6-3), Yelm (9-1), Mount Tahoma (10-2), Meadowdale (5-4), Shorecrest (5-3)

This was just passed along to me from MIHS Athletic coordinator Ann Meisner about Friday’s dedication of the MI gym to former boys head coach Ed Pepple. On the night the Islanders host league rival Bellevue the community is going to get a chance to say thanks for Pepple’s many years of service.

The school is expecting the gym to be standing room only for the event, which will take place between the girls and boys varsity games Friday night. The girls tip off at 6:30 p.m. and sometime likely between 7:50 and 8:15 p.m. the ceremony will start, which Meisner said they expect to last 15 to 20 minutes.

The presentation is going to include Pete Nordstrom, of the Mercer Island basketball alumni group, Gary Plano, MISD’s superintendent, Janet Frohnmayer, MISD board member, Craig Olson, MIHS athletic director and Pepple. During the ceremony the gym will be dedicated and a plaque will be present to Pepple.

Following the ceremony the varsity boys teams will have 15 minutes of warm up in the main gym and approximately between 8:25 and 8:45 p.m. the boys game will start.

Because the school is expecting so many people there will be two ticket selling stations for the evening and those who plan to attend either the games or the ceremony are encouraged to arrive early and plan for a crowd. There is no pre-sale of tickets for the evening. Parking is available at any of the high school lots, as well as parking in the neighborhood around the high school.

Meisner also said the concession stand (featuring pizza, soda, water and snacks) will open at 5:30 p.m., but that only water is allowed in the gym, so tables and chairs will be available in the commons for people to eat.

Should make for not only a good night of basketball, but a great chance to see the school and community thank Pepple for all his work.